Support and drain construction



April 15, 1969 E. L. MQRRIS 3,438,066

SUPPORT AND DRAIN CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 9, 19e@ Iv VEN T02.

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April 15, 1969 E. L. MORRIS SUPPORT AND DRAN CONSTRUCTION Sheet 2 of2 Filed Aug. 9, 1966 IN1/avra?. Enel. I. Mae/s 5 y//mf am? ,fn fut 0r raw/591.5%.

United States Patent O Int. Cl. E03c 1/26 U.S. Cl. 4--288 10 Claims The present invention relates generally to a support and drain construction. It relates more particularly to a high-capacity generally symmetrical combination support and drain for the base of a shower column of a multiperson shower.

Multi-person showers have found wide application in schools, parks, gymnasiums and the like. In general, one or more vertical shower columns in the form of free standing or through standing stanchions or standards are each provided iwith a plurality (such as live or six) shower nozzles spaced circumiferentially around the shower column. In this way each shower column can provide the shower for and accommodate a number of people at the same time. Water supply lines may be brought through the top or bottom of the column to the shower nozzles. Patent 2,885,689 illustrates combination drain and standard support for use in multi-person shower installations.

Equipment of the type stated is intensively used and must be capable of withstanding abuse. The installation should be easily made and provide adequate, rapid drainage and discharge of large volumes of water from the oor surrounding the installation (as when all showers are in use) and concurrently provide a firm, stable base for the stanchion, standard or column, which may carry liquid soap tanks and soap dispensers as well as shower heads and other appurtenances. Moreover, the entire installation should be substantially vandal proof, and include a provision for permitting seepage 'waters (through cracks or imperfections of the surrounding tloor surface) to drain into the waste line.

An object of the present invention therefore is to provide an effective and efficient combined standard support and drain construction which is simple to install, provides a firm foundation 'for the standard, has large capacity for the drainage and discharge of water, employs a minimum number of elements or parts and results in a virtually rust-proof, easily maintained, Vandal proof installation. Moreover, the construction described in detail hereinafter is readily modified to provide for installations wherein the water supplies are introduced into the column from the top or from the bottom. A further modification contemplates a combined support and drain construction wherein the vent pipe from the drain may extend upwardly through the column or support for the shower heads.

It is a more specific object of the present invention to firmly support a vertical multi-shower column at its lower end while providing adequate drainage to a generally aligned drainage outlet by the provision of a water collection chamber surrounding and in communication with the outlet.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such a construction of the kind having a water collection chamber with overflow ports in the lower end of the shower column facing the chamber to alleviate overflowing of the chamber.

Various other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description and the associated drawings, wherein:

FIG. l is a top plan View, with portions broken away and in section, of one exemplary form of shower column support and drain construction embodying various features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view along plane Il-ll of FIG. 1;

3,438,066 Patented Apr. 15, 1969 FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a rim ring and of the base of the support and drain construction shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of a modified form 0I support and drain construction; and

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of another modified form of support and drain construction.

One exemplary support drain construction shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 is adapted for use with and as a part ot a multi-person shower installation of the kind utilizing a free standing or through standing shower column. In general, the construction, which is installed in a shower room floor 1 (usually of concrete), supports the lower end of a vertical shower column or stanchion 50 and is connected to a suitable drainagev or waste line 2 which receives the drainage water that passes through the drain construction.

Generally stated, the construction includes a disk-like base including an upstanding circular hub 20, which acts as a support for the standard or column 50, an upstanding rim collar 30 surrounding but spaced from the hub, a grating dome 60, and a downwardly extending drain outlet 11. The base 10, drain outlet 11, hub and rim collar may be integral, although the rim collar is shown as separately attachable in the illustrated examples.

The illustrated base 10 includes a generally ring-shaped drain plate 12 having a central opening and flat upper surface which inclines downwardly toward the central opening. An enlarged downwardly extending flange is provided around the periphery of the drain plate 12, and threaded holes 14 are provided at spaced intervals around the periphery of the drain plate 12 extending down into the liange.

The drain outlet 11 is a tubular part integrally formed with the drain plate 12 and extending downwardly from the central opening. The outlet `has its lower edge turned inwardly to facilitate an inside calk seal with a vertical leg of the drainage line 2, which leg extends up into the drain outlet. The hub 20 has an upstanding tubular wall 22 which is integrally formed with the drain plate 12 and, as shown best in FIGS. 2 and 3, is provided with six large, generally rectangular, circumferentially spaced, transversely extending ports 24. The hub 20 has a flat annular upper support surface 26 provided with threaded holes 28 circumferentially spaced around the marginal portion of the surface 26 intermediate the ports 24.

As shown in FIG. 2, the base 10 may be positioned in a lower concrete layer 3 of the shower fioor 1 with the drain outlet 11 extending down through the layer and with the periphery of the drain surface of the drain plate 12 generally flushed with the upper surface of the layer.

The annular rim ring or collar 30 is secured to the upper peripheral edge of the drain plate 12 and surrounds the hub 2i) to generally define a drain water collection chamber 32. The illustrated rim ring 30 includes a generally cylindrical vertical side wall 34 having an outwardly extending horizontal flange 36 at its lower edge. The flange 36 is provided at spaced intervals with upwardly offset portions 38 (FIG. 3) which define open ended seepage control grooves 40 when the flange is mounted on the drain plate. Fasteners such as machine screws 42 extend through suitable apertures in the ange 36 and thread into the threaded holes 14 in the drain plate 12 to secure the rim ring to the base. The rim ring 30 also includes an inwardly directed annular rib 44 around the upper inside of the side wall 34 to define a support seat for the grated dome 60. The `upper surface of the rib 44 lies about level with the upper support surface 26 of the hub. The rib 44 is also provided with a number of circumferentially-spaced inwardly-directed connector tabs or ears which are provided with threaded holes 46. The inside of the side wall 34 and the inner edge of the rib 44 are suiciently spaced from the hub to permit free fiow of drain or waste water therebetween.

A suitable impervious membrane (not shown) may be clamped between the drain plate 12 and the rim ring 30 and extend outwardly overlying the lower concrete layer 3 of the floor. The fioor l may further comprise a second or upper concrete layer 4 having an upper surface sloped or inclined downwardly toward the drain construction and having a cover or surface of tile sections 5. The upper surface of the tile sections 5 is generally flush with the upper edge of the side wall 34.

The multi-person shower column 50 is supported in its vertical position with its lower end secured to the drain base 10. More particularly, the shower column 50 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a cylindrical hollow pipe 52 and a cylindrical reinforcing sleeve 54 telescoped on and secured as by means of welding to the lower end of the pipe. The sleeve 54 has an outwardly extending annular liange 56 at its lower end. Bolts 58, which pass through suitable apertures in the flange 56 and screw into the holes 28 in the hub 20, removably secure the column to the drain base 10. The lower surface of the ange 54 is thereby held ush against the liat support surface 26 of the hub. The column 50 may be readily attached to and detached from the construction without removing the drain base or the rim ring 30.

A series of small overiiow ports 59 of generally cathedral-window shape are spaced circumferentially around the lower end of the column 50 extending through the sleeve S4 and the pipe 52.

Suitable shower nozzles (not shown) are provided around an upper portion of the shower column 50 and connected to suitable water supply lines (not shown), which in the exemplary construction of FIGS. l to 3 would come from the upper end of the shower column. If desired, the construction could be readily modified to receive vertical Water supply lines extending upwardly through the drain plate, the interior of the hub section and the interior of the shower column. (Such a construction is shown in FIG. 4 and described below.)

The annular dome grate 60 is disposed around the lower end of the shower column and extends outwardly to the rim ring 30. The outer edge of the dome grate 60 is received in the seat of the rim ring and removably secured in position as by means of small machine screws 64 (FIG. 1) passing through the dome grate and threading into the the threaded holes 46 in the rib 44 of the rim ring. The illustrated dome grate 60 includes three rows of small generally rectangular openings 62 to accommodate heavy ow of drain water from the shower floor to the water collection chamber 32.

The water collection chamber 32 is a generally annular area defined by the drain plate 12, the inside of the rim ring 30, the dome grate 60, the lower end of the shower column 50, and the outside of the hub 20. The ports 24 in the hub are adapted to accommodate heavy flow of drain water from the chamber to the drain outlet 11 and thence into the drainage line 2. The combined fiow cross section of the openings 62 and the combined iiow cross section of the ports 24 are both preferably at least twice the ow cross section of the drainage line 2 for rapid flow of drain water and to avoid its accumulation and as required by some plumbing codes. Should the water collection chamber become overflowed, the overflow holes 59 around the lower end of the shower column afford additional ow area from the chamber 32 to the drain outlet 11.

Several modified forms of combined support and drain structures are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 by way of example but not of limitation. In general, comparable parts are designated by the same numbers as in the embodiment of FIGS. l to 3, but a and b sufixes are added for th'e embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5 respectively.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, a base 10a is provided through which water supply lines 6 extend upwardly into the lower end of a column 50a. The base 10a is generally like base 10, with certain modifications. The base 10a has a drain outlet 11a which is somewhat eccentric relative to the column 50a, but which is positioned within the confines of a tubular side wall 22a of a hub 20a of the base 10a. The drain outlet 11a is thus in communication with the interior of the hub 20a. Adjacent the drain outlet 11a and also within the contines of the hub wall 22:1, the illustrated base 10a is provided with one or more vertical passages 70a through which the hot and cold water supply lines extend from below the oor 1 to the shower heads (not shown) on the column 50a. The water lines 6 may be provided with suitable valves 7. While the passages 70a may be variously formed, the exemplary base 10a has a pair of upwardly extending integrally formed tubular extensions 72a which each accommodate one of the water lines. Each of the water lines 6 has an annular flange 74a secured to it as by means of welding that rests upon the upper end of the associated extension 72a to give support to the water line and provide a cover for the extension.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, a base 10b is provided which connects a vent pipe S from the drain or waste line 2 to the interior of a shower column 50b. The base 10b is generally like base 10, with certain modifications. Base 10b has a drain outlet 11b offset somewhat from the center of the column 50b, but still within the confines of a hub side wall 22b of the base 10b and in communication with the interior of the hub 20b. The drain outlet 11b is angled downwardly to one side and a vent passage b, which is provided in the base 10b adjacent the drain outlet, angles downwardly in the opposite direction where it connects to the vent pipe 8. The vent pipe 8 is connected to a horizontal extension of the drain or waste line 2 downfiow of the connection of the line 2 to the drain outlet 11b. The vent passage 80h, of the illustrated base 10b is formed by an integral tubular part of the base 10b, which extends upwardly above the hub 20b generally centrally of the column 50b and receives the lower end of a vent tube 9 which may lead through the column to a suitable outlet or exhaust.

Further, there may be various other modifications such as combining the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5 to provide both water supply lines and venting through the base into the column.

Thus, the illustrated support and drain structures for multi-person shower columns provide adequate support for the columns and high volume drainage at the base of the columns. Water collection chambers are disposed around the drain outlets for generally evenly balanced drainage. Overflow openings are provided from the water collection chambers back to the drain outlets. The shower columns may be readily attached to and detached from the support and drain constructions without affecting the permanently installed bases or the rim rings. The illustrated constructions are simple and economical to manufacture and install, while being durable in operation.

Various other modifications and changes may be made in the illustrated structures without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Various features of the present invention are set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. An effective, virtually Vandal proof standard support and drain construction comprising:

a disk-like drain base provided with an upstanding support hub generally centered on said drain base, said support hub having an upstanding wall Iprovided with a plurality of drainage ports and a top flat support surface;

an upstanding rim collar carried by the edge portion of the drain base, said rim collar being spaced from the support hub to form an annular water chamber therearound;

a drain outlet connected to the drain base and in communication with the interior of said support hub; and

a hollow standard provided with an outwardly extending flange at its lower end, said ange resting upon the top support surface of said hub, and means removably connecting the flange to said hub.

2. A standard support and base construction as stated in claim 1, wherein the lower end of said rim collar is provided with radially extending circumferentially spaced seepage passages.

3. A standard base and drain construction as stated in claim 1, wherein the lower marginal edge portion of the disklike drain base is thickened and the lower end of said rim collar is provided with a `flange seated upon said marginal edge portion of the drain base, said rim collar being bolted to said thickened edge portion.

4. A standard support and drain construction as stated in claim 1, wherein the disk-like drain base is slightly dished toward the downwardly directed drain outlet.

5. A support and drain construction as stated in claim 1, wherein the drain outlet is downwardly directed and is eccentrically positioned with respect to the hub, said drain base being provided with an upstanding tubular portion Within the area embraced by said hub, said tubular portion extending upwardly above the plane of the top surface of the hub and being adapted to slidably receive a water supply.

6. A support and drain construction as stated in claim 1, wherein the drain outlet is downwardly directed and is eccentrically positioned with respect to the hub, said drain base being provided with a generally vertically extending tubular portion within the area embraced by said hub, said tubular portion extending upwardly above the plane of the top surface of the hub and being adapted to connect at its lower end to a vent of a drainage line to place that vent in communication with the interior of the standard.

7. A support and drain construction as defined in claim 1, wherein said hollow standard is provided with overflow ports disposed around its lower end for additional ow of drain water from said drain water collection chamber into said drain outlet.

8. A support and drain construction as deiined in claim 1, wherein the combined flow cross-section of said drainage ports is at least twice the ow cross-section of said drain outlet.

9. An effective, virtually Vandal proof standard support and drain construction comprising:

a disk-like drain base provided with an integral up* standing support hub generally coaxial with said drain base, said support hub having an upstanding wall provided with a plurality of large drainage ports in its lower portion and a top at support surface;

an upstanding anged rim collar carried by the edge portion of the drain base, said rim collar being spaced from the support hub to form an annular water collection chamber therearound;

a downwardly extending drain outlet connected to the drain base and in communication with the interior of said support hub, Said drain outlet being adapted to receive a waste pipe;

a hollow standard provided with an outwardly extending ange at its lower end, said ange resting upon the top support surface of said hub, and means removably connecting the flange to said hub; and

van annular grating having an outer marginal edge p0rtion seated upon and connected to the rim collar and an inner marginal edge in contact with the standard above said flange.

10. An effective standard support and drain construction comprising:

a hollow upstanding standard;

base means dening a hollow support hub supporting said upstanding standard and defining an annular water collection chamber extending circumferentially around the support hub;

outlet means on said base means defining a drain outlet in communication with the interior of said hub; and

means on said base means dening drainage ports between said chamber and the interior of said hub.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,885,689 5/1959 Morris 4-191 X 3,184,762 5/1965 Logan et al. 4-145 3,187,349 6/1965 Booker et al. 4145 FOREIGN PATENTS 568,171 12/1932 Germany.

PATRICK D. LAWSON, Primary Examiner. 

1. AN EFFECTIVE, VIRTUALLY VANDAL PROOF STANDARD SUPPORT AND DRAIN CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING: A DISK-LIKE DRAIN BASE PROVIDED WITH AN UPSTANDING SUPPORTING HUB GENERALLY CENTERED ON SAID DRAIN BASE, SAID SUPPORT HUB HAVING AN UPSTANDING WALL PROVIDED WITH A PLURALITY OF DRAINAGE PORTS AND A TOP FLAT SUPPORT SURFACE; AN UPSTANDING RIM COLLAR CARRIED BY THE EDGE PORTION OF THE DRAIN BASE, SAID RIM COLLAR BEING SPACED FROM THE SUPPORT HUB TO FORM AN ANNULAR WATER CHAMBER THEREAROUND; A DRAIN OUTLET CONNECTED TO THE DRAIN BASE AND IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE INTERIOR OF SAID SUPPORT HUB; AND A HOLLOW STANDARD PROVIDED WITH AN OUTWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGE AT ITS LOWER END, SAID FLANGE RESTING UPON THE TOP SUPPORT SURFACE OF SAID HUB, AND MEANS REMOVABLY CONNECTING THE FLANGE TO SAID HUB. 